Former leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and MSP for Orkney,
Jim Wallace, has used his last speech in the Chamber to call for more
powers for the Scottish Parliament.
Wallace said: “I believe a growing number of people in Scotland
support new powers for our Scottish Parliament – many more than support
independence.”
“The Steel Commission has made the case for more powers as well as a
reformed financial arrangement. This will improve accountability,
increase transparency, encourage greater efficiency in the allocation
of resources, and allow this Parliament to exercise fiscal powers which
can have a positive influence on the Scottish economy.”
However, his call comes in the wake of a Labour “gaffe” that saw a
motion lodged yesterday morning by Minister for Parliamentary Business
Margaret Curran, calling for the Scottish Parliament to have greater
powers, only for this to be withdrawn again. Labour maintained
yesterday afternoon that the party did not want more powers for the
Scottish Parliament.
Wallace also suggested that councils should play a greater role in the government of Scotland. “Whilst
examining Scotland’s relationship with the United Kingdom, we shouldn’t
lose sight of the principle that devolved government doesn’t stop at
Edinburgh. The reformed electoral system offers a fresh opportunity to
build the parity of esteem between Parliament and councils which we
talked about back in 1999.”
“The next Parliament must surely resist any unnecessary tendency to centralise, and seek opportunities to decentralise.”
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